Why do some want to believe in Purgatory - even though it is against the Bible?

[Root of Jesse]

Some kind of purification is consistent with the Christian life, even after we depart this one, perhaps. Beyond that, I believe alot of the traditional Catholic attitudes towards Purgatory are speculation.

This is a statement I can get behind 100%. Lots of people's conceptions of Purgatory are mistaken. But what the Church teaches is not. It's not about days and weeks and years burning,etc. It's about purification before entering heaven.

 

[Albion]

Some kind of purification is consistent with the Christian life, even after we depart this one, perhaps. Beyond that, I believe alot of the traditional Catholic attitudes towards Purgatory are speculation.

I'm pleased to agree with this.

 

[ImaginaryDay]

Some kind of purification is consistent with the Christian life, even after we depart this one, perhaps. Beyond that, I believe alot of the traditional Catholic attitudes towards Purgatory are speculation.

A speculative "Evangelical Catholic"? I like that...

 

[seekingsolace]

We know Christ instituted one Church, so there can't be Churches. God will reunify us when he sees fit. He already does so in heaven. All those in heaven are part of the one Church Christ founded, completely and perfectly fulfilled.

Indeed, one heavenly Church.

 

[Root of Jesse]

Indeed, one heavenly Church.

Of which the Church Militant, the Church on Earth, is a part.

 

[Rick Otto]

Not all who are of Israel, are Israel.

...you have to say and do the right things!
lol

 

[BobRyan]

I still have yet to see any proof of the title of this thread-that Purgatory is against the Bible...

1. It is not taught in the Bible.
2. No "bank of excess suffering" for saints to hand out pardons to other saints who have died -- in the Bible.
3. No "saved Christians have died and need your help to get them out of purgatory early so they don't have to endure it all" in the Bible.
the entire system is made up -- for those using a "Sola Scriptura" test of doctrine.

But more than that - it implies that there is either a debt of punishment owed - or there is sanctification incomplete and that the one who has died must be more-sanctified in character before they were fit for heaven. But Heb 9 says "it is appointed unto man once to die AND THEN comes the judgment" not "and then comes more time for punishment and sanctification to purge away more character flaws".

 

[Berean777]

...

 

[BobRyan]

Heb 9 says "it is appointed unto man once to die AND THEN comes the judgment" not "and then comes more time for punishment and sanctification to purge away more character flaws".

 

[Open Heart]

Heb 9 says "it is appointed unto man once to die AND THEN comes the judgment" not "and then comes more time for punishment and sanctification to purge away more character flaws".

1 Cor 3:15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames.

 

[Albion]

1 Cor 3:15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames.

So?

 

[Kirsten]

This is a statement I can get behind 100%. Lots of people's conceptions of Purgatory are mistaken. But what the Church teaches is not. It's not about days and weeks and years burning,etc. It's about purification before entering heaven.

The idea of purification is not at all Scriptural. Christians are first justified through faith in Christ and then sanctified IN THIS LIFE through trials and chastisement. There is ZERO indication that those who die in Christ will need any kind of purification before entering heaven. Certainly, those in Christ as positionally already there.

 

[Kirsten]

1 Cor 3:15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames.

This passage is referring to works we did on earth either FOR the Lord or FOR ourselves. Only things we do for the Lord will have any weight in heaven.

 

[Albion]

Moreover, the verse doesn't come close to defining, identifying, or replicating the elaborate theory that is Purgatory.

 

[seekingsolace]

"But those who are ready to toil in the most excellent pursuits, will not desist from the search after truth, till they get the demonstration from the Scriptures themselves."

 

[Open Heart]

This passage is referring to works we did on earth either FOR the Lord or FOR ourselves. Only things we do for the Lord will have any weight in heaven.

The point is that we go through a purgation after death, those of us that are saved, and it won't be a cake walk.

 

[Albion]

The point is that we go through a purgation after death, those of us that are saved, and it won't be a cake walk.

How do we know that to be the case?

 

[Open Heart]

How do we know that to be the case?

I quoted you the verses. Sheesh.

 

[Albion]

How do we know that to be the case?

Nothing there said a thing about Purgatory.

 

[BobRyan]

1 Cor 3:15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames.

1 Cor 3 never mentions purgatory.
1 Cor 3 never says the "person is burned"
1 Cor 3 never says "the person is burned up after they die"
1 Cor 3 says the foundation of the building is Christ and each builder -- evangelists - add via his own doctrine either gold and silver or hay and straw depending on whether the doctrine is good or bad.
1 Cor 3 says that bad doctrine is removed from that building - bad material in the form of inferior teaching of the evangelist.

That chapter never talks about the evangelist being burned in fire after they die and before they get to heaven.